Welcome to the first ever “Month In Drum & Bass” podcast. I think I picked a good time to start this series of mixes with so many good tunes being released last month.
Download here —> https://themonthindrumandbass.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/code-the_month_in_db-march_2013.mp3
Here’s the Tracklist :
1. Naibu – Aki VIP (Naibu Bandcamp)
2. S.T. Files & Response – Nailbomb (Ingredients)
3. Felix K – Forsaken (Apexx)
4. Actraiser – Dark Bride (Offworld)
5. Doc Scott – Paradise Lost (Soul Intent Remix) (Stepback Sessions Vol 4)
6. Digital & Spirit – Backlash (Remix) (Phantom Audio)
7. Infest – The One That Hides Us (Omni Music)
8. Seba – What’s Your Fantasy (Secret Operations)
9. Homemade Weapons & Gremlinz – Ruff Age (Architecture)
10. Rufige Kru – Vanilla VIP (Metalheadz – Free Download)
11. Dub One – The Spirit Within (Dub One Bandcamp)
12. Double O – Soul Warrior (Rupture London)
13. Dwarde – Algid (Scientific Wax Digital)
14. Fallen Angels (Alex Reece & Wax Doctor) – Taken Over (Creative Wax – Free Download)
The mix begins with a new VIP mix of Naibu’s classic “Aki”. It’s available right now from his bandcamp page. I’m not normally a fan of new mixes of old tunes, but there were a lot of good one’s in March and besides Naibu’s remix there are 3 other revamps in the mix. You can grab one of them “Vanilla VIP” by Goldie’s Rufige crew on the Metalheadz website absolutely free right now – check it. The Phantom Audio label has finally resurfaced and Digital & Spirit’s “Backlash” (the flipside to the massive “Phantom Force”) has been revisited and given a extra dollop of breakbeat and a few new twists and turns. Not wildly original, but good quality beats with a touch of class. Finally, Soul Intent pulls off the bravest remix for sometime by tackling Doc Scott’s “Paradise Lost”. This is a tune that still sounds fresh nearly 20 years after it’s original release on Reinforced Records (in 1994). With it’s distinctive machine-like snare rolls and overall off-kilter nature it might have proved too much for many producers but Soul Intent has really come up with the goods here – not just upping the tempo to match today’s norm but coming up with a genuinely fresh take on the original while maintaining the vibe. Hats off ! It’s available as a download on Volume 4 of the “Stepback Sessions”.
Okay, enough nostalgia ! There were also alot of new names bringing the beats in March. One of Holland’s breakbeat hero’s Infest just released his debut LP on the ever prolific Omni Music. With previous outings on Outsider Music, DSCI4, Eastern Promise and Repertoire and growing acclaim, the time was right for a full length album and it doesn’t disappoint. Check “The One That Hides Us” in the mix for evidence. Also watch for a forthcoming collaboration with Quasi on Subtle Audio in the next few months.
Dwarde is another fresh face on the scene and with a new release on Scientific Wax the only way is up from here on in – loving the synth riff on the amen rich “Algid”, a real throwback to the old days.
Berlin’s Felix K has been quietly getting along with his business over the last few years, running his own label “Hidden Hawaii” and releasing his own productions on labels such as Doc Scott’s 31 Records. His latest release is on Birmingham’s Apexx Recordings. It’s quite minimal but nice n bouncy (without being cheesy) – it’s a skill to make a simple idea seem interesting, and Felix does that here.
Actraiser is a name I wasn’t familiar with till recently despite having quite a few releases over the last few years. “Dark Bride” is a track taken from his “Drift Away” EP on Offworld Recordings – one of a handful of labels still promoting the atmospheric side of Drum & Bass. Really like this tune and will certainly be looking out for more from the Bristol man in the future.
Another new name (to me at least) – Homemade Weapons teamed up with Gremlinz (someone I’m alot more familiar with!) for a track on his Fallen EP. “Ruff Age” is a nice balance between traditional tech-y D&B and the more recent glitch-y advances we’ve been hearing over the last few years. The VIP mix emphasizes the glitch elements a little more but still packs plenty of punch. The rest of the EP is quality too and sees Gremlinz team-up with Displaced Paranormals on one track and Aspect on another aswell as delivering the title track in solo mode.
Seba has finally been getting the kudos he deserves over the last 5 or 6 years and his 2nd full length album will no doubt keep his hordes of fans happy. Personally I would like to hear a little more in the break-beat department on certain tracks but there is still plenty to admire on this “Identity” LP. Loving the techno-line on “What’s Your Fantasy”.
It was good to see ST Files make his return to D&B production a few years ago and it’s a coup for the impressive Ingredients label to land some new tunes from the man. “Nailbomb” is the pick of this new release which was co-produced by Response.
The end of this mix sees things take a turn toward the Jungle. Dub One has been one of the most incendiary exponents of breakbeat manipulation over the last few years and one of my favourites of his has finally seen the light of day. “The Spirit Within” is available right now from Dub One’s Bandcamp page. Calming things down after Dub One’s amen splurge is the soothing sound of “Soul Warrior” by Double O – this is available right now as a limited 12″ direct from the Rupture London site. The aforementioned Dwarde track ratchets up the energy levels once again before we take a trip back in time for “Taken Over” by the Fallen Angels (aka Alex Reece and the Wax Doctor). Originally released in 1995 and re-released on vinyl in 1998 and again in 2002 and later on digital a few years ago, this was posted as a free download on the Creative Wax Soundcloud in March. The label is making a comeback and is due to have some new releases on the way soon. They also gave away an amazing free Equinox remix of the classic “Stay Calm” by DJ Pulse a few months ago, so it might be worth keeping an eye on the Creative Wax Soundcloud page.
Until next month! Enjoy the mix —> https://themonthindrumandbass.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/code-the_month_in_db-march_2013.mp3
The Month In Drum & Bass 